IS there a better-bred National Hunt stallion than Masterofthehorse?

The Sadler’s Wells full-brother to classic winner Alexandrova is one of the best-kept secrets in the stallion world.

He has had two winners from three runners on the flat and Michael Shefflin of Annshoon Stud in Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny, believes the horse is on the verge of breaking into the big time.

Shefflin said: “The horse only arrived here at the end of May 2012 and covered 25 mares that year. But even from that small crop he has a few nice four-year-olds to run for him. His stock look the part and the Bleahens in Galway bought a few of them.”

When trained by Aidan O’Brien, Masterofthehorse finished third in the Derby at Epsom, to Sea The Stars and Fame And Glory, beaten by a length and a half. His stud fee of just €1,750 is quite a bit lower than that of the two he chased home.

The stallion is owned by Qatari businessman Hassan Al Abdulmalik, who is supporting the horse at stud. “Masterofthehorse is a very good-looking horse and anyone who comes to see him will be impressed,” Shefflin added.

Fruits Of Love is also standing at Annshoon. A half-brother to Mujadil, he was an ultra-tough competitor for trainer Mark Johnston, winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot twice and also the Dubai Sheema Classic. He has sired over 40 individual jumps winners including the prolific Simply Ned.

Annshoon Stud was previously home to Talkin Man, a stallion Shefflin secured before that sire’s biggest winner, Better Talk Now, had recorded any of his four Grade 1 victories.